2-9-03 Cruisers? Anyone out there?

[samjudge]

Lynne,
I'm so glad to see your little one will be at the Dolphin Encounter. My 4 1/2 year old (DJ) is an excellent swimmer, but usually finds himself with all big kids. We're bringing our own snorkel stuff-----he seems to be too young for any of the excursions.
See ya there Kim

 

[LynneT]

Are you doing the dolphin encounter or the swim? We are doing the encounter at 11am. We are very excited as we have been told by the Blue Lagoon staff that kids with cerebal Palsy interact positively with the dolphins! Both Dh and I will get as much enjoyment out of the experience as Nikki will as we love to see her experience new things!
We too, will be celebrating a birthday on board the first nite, mine!
Hope to meet you on board...
Lynne

 

[samjudge]

Lynne,
Actually, I didn't know there was a difference with the encounter or swim? We went to the Blue Lagoon in Nov 99 and just did the beach day. DJ (our 4 year old) was only 1 1/2, so we just "wished" we were hanging with the dolphins. So we preregistered for the excursion this time and considering the price I hope there's lots of interaction with them.
How did you find out your time. Did you just call?
Hey, I hope we do get to meet you sometime on board---and if its not until the Blue Lagoon, then happy b-day. Kim

 

[LynneT]

We made reservations thru DCL and they told us our time then. We are scheduled to meet at 9:15 and then our encounter is at 11 am. I think that it cost us $113 for the adults and $88 for Nikki.
Lynne

 

[samjudge]

Lynne,
After I sent the post I read the commentary portion of these Boards and there was a long explamation of the differences between the swim and the encounter (sorry---information overload) DJ can swim, but not that well--so its definitely the encounter. I'll call this week and if we're scheduled around the same time (or so) I'll let you know. We're going to the Animal Kingdom first (only 2 days, not part of a package) soooo 4 days and counting Kim

 

[spyhill]

We are going to AKL first too--first 3 nights at GF, then 2 nights at AKL. Can't wait until tomorrow!

How are you getting from AKL to ship? We are going to the Swan and leaving from there.

 

[samjudge]

Spyhill,
You're so lucky----we have 4 more days of cold--and the weather forecast for Fri-Sat in DW is not encouraging. At least it's not Pittsburgh and anyway, we hardly ever see giraffe's from any balconies here!!!
We were scheduled to leave from the Swan too, but with so little time in DW (really can't go to the parks on Sun), we decided to squeeze a little more fun out of our stay. We scheduled a Character breakfast ay Ohana in the Poly for Sun morning and then we leave from there. We're usually "poly people", but decided to try somewhere else this time--still need our fix of the place though,
We've done the character breakfast there before --its terrific---and its the first time for our 4 year old. DCL just changed our pick up to there (I think its 11:45--but I'd have to check) Maybe see you at AKL or maybe the bus. Kim

 

[spyhill]

Well I wouldn't put much stock in the forecast--it keeps changing! I'm sure you'll have a great time.
When you got to Poly in AM, what are you doing with cruise luggage? Thanks.
I cannot believe how much luggage my wife has packed--three big suitcases, one bag, and a big stroller that we are definitely taking. Not going to be easy to lug this around......

 

[samjudge]

Spyhill,
My experience with DW in general and with the Poly in particular is that the help will do everything in their power to make YOUR visit hasslefree. (I remember the culture shock when we stopped at a convenience store outside Disney on the way back to the airport. Suddenly everything I said was not perfectly correct and the fellow behind the cash register wasn't the least bit interested in making me happy in every way---as my husband said" Kimmy---we're not in Disney anymore!") I digress though
At any rate, we called the Poly and they said there would be no problem with storing our luggage with the bell man for a couple of hours. (We've actually done that before when we've left DW late in the day, long after checkout).
We haven't decided about how to get from AKL to the Poly yet. We may take the bus, but if it's not hassle free, we'll just grab a cab. (We overpacked on our 1999 DCL because it was very spur of the moment, although We had a FABULOUS time - I'll never forget repacking the last night on the ship--we hit some rough water and were a little seasick) Soo if you see me with the same T-shirt or beach cover-up a couple of times-- shhh Kim